Shillong (Meghalaya), Jan 25 : Kmoinlang Wahlang has won the hearts of people around the country in the #TataMumbaiMarathon this year.
At 71, she finished the marathon and was ranked first at the Women’s 70-74 Age Category.
Last year also , Kmoinlang Wahlang competed at the Mumbai Marathon She was the oldest woman marathoner at the event and completed her full marathon at 89th position in 4 hours, 33 minutes and 55 seconds that left everyone paying attention and are probably impressed by her grit.
A resident of Shngimawlein in South West Khasi Hills, Wahlang like any other villager poverty posed a stumbling block for any aspiration.
“I always participated in sporting events including football when I was in school. However, since my parents cannot pay for my studies I dropped out when I was in class III,” Wahlang told South Asia Views.
A mother of 12 children Wahlang raised them with hard earnings as a daily wage labourer in her early years. Now with 30 grandchildren Wahlang sees marathon as the pinnacle of health for her personally.
“I had fallen sick and doctors advised I exercise. So I found running as an easiest way to maintain sound health,” she said.
Wahlang was discovered by RUN Meghalaya, and since then has participated in quite a few marathons. She first participated at the Late Dr. Friday Lyngdoh Memorial Cross Country Race and Run 2018 in Shillong. Since then she had participated in a number of marathons in the state and won second place in every event she took part.
Wahlang said she found inspiration from runners Tlanding Wahlang and Swonding Mawlong who hails from her village including Gerald Pde, a Shillong based architect and a marathon runner who is also the founder of annual Sohra/Cherrapunji marathon.
With nearly four hours set apart for exercise from her daily household routine, Wahlang said she will continue to increase her overall level of health with marathon.
Mumbai Marathon was her first exposure outside the state and with her immense potential and stamina youths and women could look up to the resilience of this grandmother who says, “Adopt healthy living and follow my example. Women should never be disheartened when things go wrong in their lives because when there is a will there is a way and you can achieve it through sheer hard work.”
Meanwhile , Meghalaya CM , Conrad Sangma has congratulated Kong Kmoinlang on her achievement .
